LISTOWEL is set for an intense injection of the traditional music of north Kerry, Sliabh Luachra and west Limerick in a concert already creating great excitement.

One of the great uileann pipers of the county, Kilmoyley native Leonard Barry will lead a host of talented friends through the music of the region, as well as Sligo and even the United States!

Kicking off at 8pm on Thursday, September 26, in St John's Theatre, the gig will see Leonard performing with well-known fellow trad musicians Andy Morrow, Rick Epping and Seamie O'Dowd.

It also coincides with the release of Leonard's second CD New Road!

The Kilmoyley native has played and taught the uileann pipes across the US, Europe, Australia and even Asia and has also worked with some of Ireland's top musical names from John Spillane to Luka Bloom!

One thing north Kerry audiences can expect is an unusual mix of instruments - like harmonica and pipes. This happy fact will be due to Leonard's friends, including folk scene legend and California native Rick Epping.

Rick has recorded with the likes of Frankie Gavin and Tim Edey, was a member of Arcady and is currently playing with Sligo-based band The Unwanted.

Rick's fellow Unwanted member, the multi-instrumentalist Seamie O'Dowd is regarded as one of the most sought-after musicians in Ireland today. A former member of Dervish, he has, in his time, played with Christy Moore, Liam O'Flynn and many more.

Leitrim native Andy Morrow meanwhile comes from a family steeped in traditional music and has been playing the fiddle since the age of eight. He was also central to the recording of what is now widely regarded as a classic trad album, with Tony O'Connell and Arty McGlynn in 2005.